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Tea time at Area 51

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Author	Topic: Tea time at Area 51
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 10-11-2010 04:14 PM I recently picked up a copy of "Marks of Achievement: Four Centuries of American Presentation Silver" (a lovely book that was remaindered and can now be found cheap) and came across this teaset, which I couldn't resist posting It was commissioned by the city of Long Beach for presentation to it namesake, the Navy's first nuclear powered cruiser launched in 1961. The set, a real high point in atomic age design, was made by Gorham, who opened the project to its whole staff. Seven traditional designs were sent to the city council along with this one and its choice raised a good measure of controversy. The ship was decommissioned in 1995 and I don't know where the set ended up. IP: Logged
denimrs Posts: 102 Registered: Dec 2005	posted 10-11-2010 06:01 PM Oh my, that is wonderful. It put a real smile on my face. Thank you so much for posting this. Elizabeth IP: Logged
salmoned Posts: 336 Registered: Jan 2005	posted 10-12-2010 06:49 AM It can apparently be viewed at the Long Beach Civic Center. In 1997, the Navy loaned it to the city for that purpose. IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 10-12-2010 07:55 AM Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of Holt Howard designs. Jersey IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 10-12-2010 08:05 AM Thanks for posting this and for the heads up on the book (ordered and on its way). My personal tastes have always been eclectic, and I find this set both beautiful and amusing, as with Elizabeth - it just makes me smile. Also makes me curious about the designer, and grateful to the city council for their bold move in choosing something so appropriate for the occasion and the era. ~Cheryl IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 10-12-2010 10:58 AM quote: viewed at the Long Beach Civic Center Thanks for that. I emailed a few of the city historical organizations, but everyone was off for Columbus Day. IP: Logged
Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 Registered: Aug 2000	posted 10-12-2010 01:01 PM It was designed by Richard Huggins. From Sam Hough's website: Roster of Gorham Craftsmen Huggins, Richard L. 1960 senior designer, Gorham; wife Mary Ann 1960/61 designed USS Long Beach service JNA. "Richard L. Huggins recalls that his design was controversial. The commission began as a private project for Gorham's head designer, but it was soon opened to his entire staff. Gorham submitted six or seven largely traditional designs plus this one to the Long Beach City Council. In selecting this design, the Council recognized the progressive role that their cruiser would have..." (Marks of Achievement) 1962 director of design, Gorham. Huggins had a flamboyant ego and during his term the Design Room was divided between his supporters and a faction which opposed him, led by Dick Gavette, himself an egoist. Huggins was let go to bring peace to the room, but Gavette remained a problem until he also left. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 10-12-2010 02:08 PM IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 10-12-2010 02:41 PM Not sure why I didn't pay more attention to this set in Carpenter's Gorham Silver 1831-1981. To my eye, the handles on the tray look like fanciful versions of boat rope cleats. Carpenter writes, "The latest of the Gorham silver battleship services was made in 1961 for the Cruiser U.S.S. Long Beach. The Long Beach was the first atomic-powered cruiser of the United States Navy. It was commissioned at the South Boston Annex of the Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday afternoon, September 9, 1961. The citizens of Long Beach, California, ordered a silver service from Gorham for the commissioning. The service designed by Richard Huggins, was deemed appropriate for the atomic age. The finials of the coffee service in Figure 287 are atomic models with depictions of electron paths. The odd, stick like legs give the pieces of the tea set and other-worldly look; they almost seem like creatures from another planet. The punch bowl and tray in Figure 288 are designed in the same manner. Perhaps unconsciously, the designer of the Long Beach service was following a well-established Gorham tradition for ship silver that seemed to demand a certain flamboyance, as if these services should be "different" and larger than life." ~Cheryl IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 10-12-2010 05:16 PM This wonderful service dating from 1961 was the last Navy presentation silver made until 2009 when silver was presented to the USS Wayne E. Meyer. Part of the service was displayed at the Modernism in American Silver show at the Dallas Museum of Art. In her catalogue of the exhibit, Jewel Stern discusses the service in the chapter on space age silver. Quoting from a Gorham publicity brochure she states: “Gorham described Huggins’ service as ‘the essence of the atomic age, captured in sterling silver.’ The designer was credited with giving ‘body to the elusive atom,’ by molding traditional shapes into forms associated with ‘known atomic expressions such as the mushroom cloud’ produced by a detonated atomic bomb and which symbolized the ‘tremendous power of the atom.’ The upward sweep of the line was said by Gorham to suggest ‘man’s search into space for new horizons.’ The swirled six-light candelabra was cited for the ‘graceful upward and outward curve of the arms’ that expressed ‘mankind’s eternal search for peace and the hope that the atom may be used to achieve that goal.’ The finials, based on a model of an atom with circulating electrons, alluded to the Atomium, a sculptural representation of the atom that had dominated the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958 and became a symbol of the Atomic Age." IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 10-12-2010 09:11 PM Okay, now I want to see the candelabra..... ~Cheryl IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 10-13-2010 10:15 AM The candelabra are pictured on p. 263 of Stern's book Modernism in American Silver. Don't know if posting a scan would violate either copyright or the Forum's guidelines. IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 10-13-2010 10:42 AM It's fair use and would be fine to post. IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 10-13-2010 10:51 AM Kayvee ~ If you're uncomfortable with posting a scan, I ordered the Stern book too, and can post on arrival. ~Cheryl IP: Logged
Kayvee Posts: 204 Registered: Oct 2004	posted 10-14-2010 10:48 AM Great cheryl; thanks! IP: Logged
Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 Registered: Aug 2000	posted 03-06-2013 11:12 AM Two plus years later here are the candelabra. IP: Logged

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